Page 79 of Before You Go

Francisca

I listen to my cell ring in my purse, unable to answer it with both of my hands weighted down with shopping bags as I make my way down the sidewalk to my apartment. By some miracle, I manage to get my key in the lock and the door open without setting anything down and kick it shut behind me.

Avoiding PJ jumping around at my feet, I make my way quickly to the kitchen and sigh in relief as I drop everything on the counter. I wasn’t planning on stopping anywhere after my doctor’s appointment, but then I remembered that neither Dayton nor I had much to choose from in terms of breakfast options this morning. Even the basics, like coffee and creamer, were running low, so I decided to make a quick stop at the grocery store. And since I hadn’t eaten since breakfast and was starving as I pushed my shopping cart around the store, I ended up buying a whole bunch of snack foods on top of the stuff we actually needed.

After giving PJ the attention he’s hopping around at my feet for, I take a pack of cookies out of one of the bags, opening it up but leaving everything else on the counter since I’ll take it upstairs with me when I go up to Dayton’s later. I shove one of the cookies in my mouth, then take out my phone and roll my eyes when I see the missed call is from Matthew. I don’t want to call him back, but a few days ago, he told me that he was closing on his loan and that he would have my money for me soon.

“Francisca.” He answers before the phone even has a chance to ring on my end. “I was just going to send you a text.”

“Is everything okay?”

“Yes, how’s your dad?”

“He’s good, getting better by the day.” I take the pack of cookies with me and wander to one of the chairs at the table.

“That’s good news. I’ve been meaning to check on him, but works been busy.” I roll my eyes at the lie, during the time that my father was in the hospital and in the time since he’s called and text more than once, not to check on my dad but to see if I wanted to go out and get a drink or have dinner.

“I’m sure you have a lot more responsibility now.”

“I do; it’s been an adjustment.” At this point, my eyes are going to be stuck in the back of my head if I keep rolling them.

“So, is everything okay?”

“Yeah, I wanted to let you know that I have the money for the condo.”

“That’s great news.” My shoulders sag in relief. “Do you want me to send over my bank information so you can wire it to me?”

“I actually had the bank print me out a check, and I can meet you tonight and give it to you if that works.”

“I… What time? I have plans this evening.”

“You can meet me downstairs at my office. I’ll be here for a few more hours, so I can come out and meet you whenever you arrive.”

Darn, I don’t really want to meet him, but I don’t feel like I have a choice. “Alright, I’ll be there, let me get PJ, and I’ll be on my way.”

“Sounds good. I’ll see you then.” He hangs up after saying goodbye, and I glance at the time on my cell, finding that it’s almost five. I know that Dayton said he had a meeting at five, and when we were at the doctor’s, he told me that Clay made a reservation for him and Willow for six thirty and that they would be leaving around six fifteen since the restaurant is just around the corner. If I leave now, I should be back in forty-five minutes or less, depending on traffic.

Shoving another cookie into my mouth I get up and attach PJ’s leash then grab my purse from the kitchen where I left it. As I’m walking to the door, I remember that there is a shipping store where I’m going, and I have a couple of packages I need to mail. One of them being the paperwork to change my last name back to my maiden name.

Grabbing everything I need along with a sharpie marker I head to the door once more and the moment I swing it open I find Dayton standing on the opposite side with his hand up ready to knock.

“Hey.” I smile. “What are you doing here? I thought you had a meeting.”

“I did, but Billy rescheduled it for tomorrow morning.” He starts to step into my space, then realizes my hands are full and frowns. “Are you leaving?”

“Yeah, I’m going to pick up my check for the condo from Matthew and dropping these off since there is a mailing place right next door.”

“He got the loan?”

“He did. He called just a few minutes ago and let me know I could come pick up the check from him.”

“Where are you meeting him?” He asks while bending to give PJ some attention.

“At his office, he’s meeting me downstairs.” I lean up on my toes to touch my mouth to his when he comes out of his bend. “I should be back here in forty-five minutes.”

“I’ll come with you.” My insides twist with anxiety. It’s not that I don’t want him to come; I would actually love it if he did, but his patience with Matthew at this point is nonexistent. Dealing with Matthew, I never quite know what I’m going to get, and I don’t want this meeting ruining our whole evening.

“That’s okay, I won’t be long.” I step outside, and he takes the stuff I’m holding.

---